Friends,
2023 has been a wonderful year of accomplishment for Moving Pillsbury Forward and the Pillsbury Project. Here are the brief highlights:
- Demolished 5 buildings at the site (January)
- $2M in Congressionally Directed Funds from the Office of Senator Durbin (January)
- Technical Assistance final report from USEPA (February)
- $2M in funding commitments from the City of Springfield (February)
- Hosted 500 people for Spring Tours (April)
- 34 Pillsbury Employees in group photo (April)
- $800K in cleanup grant funding from USEPA (May)
- $1.2M in State funding through the Office of Senator Turner (June)
- Community Garden partnership with SIU-Med/Pillsbury Neighborhood (July)
- Reunion Project/Tuesdays at the Dock with employees and families (August)
- 300 tons of debris removal at the site (September)
- 100 people attended the Echoes of Pillsbury opening (September)
- Partnership with street artists, Visitors (September)
- Hosted 1000 people for Fall tours (October)
- 1300 people attended Visitors Art Exhibitions (November)
- Micro-Pantry partnership and installation (November)
- 400 people attended bonus tours (December)
- Holiday light display at Pillsbury brings energy and cheer (December)
- Associated Press article brings national attention to the project (December)
While the measurable elements of the list are considerable, the interactions we have had with the community have equal or greater value. The Pillsbury Project is much more than working through the difficult mechanics of demolishing buildings and moving toward redevelopment. The Pillsbury Project is about people coming together, taking control of a tough situation, and improving the quality of life in Springfield.
Thank you! We appreciate everyone being a part of advancing the Pillsbury Project.
Now…let’s see what we can accomplish in 2024!
~ Team Pillsbury